"My hero!" I laughed.
"Babe, do you want people thinking I'm cheap?" He was playing devoted groom too well. "My love for you knows no limits. Especially not dollar limits."
He was such a tease.
"I don't care if they think you're cheap. I want them to see that I didn't marry you for your money." After being accused of that all day long, not looking mercenary was becoming increasingly important to me. I'm sure it sounded desperately romantic to anyone who overheard. "I married you for you."
I looked deep into his eyes, really putting it on. "I love you. Not your money." Maybe I could fool at least one innocent bystander.
Even though she stood to lose out on a bigger commission, May got teary-eyed. Gullible, but I liked her for that.
Jus grinned and gave me a quick kiss. "I love you, too."
I smiled back at him, thinking he understood. "The average guy spends about four thousand on a wedding set. Five or six times as much as that should be sufficient. That's the price of a small car. And the most almost any groom spends. That's way more than I need."
"Kay," he said. "I hate to point this out, but you could just as easily be hit over the head for a small car."
"I thought you were keeping me safe?"
He laughed and kissed me again. I was actually enjoying myself. After debating for less than half an hour, I picked a set that outshone any of my married friends' rings. And was, quite frankly, the ring of my dreams. I'd been to enough weddings in the last four years to know.
May promised to have it sized and sent by courier to us Thursday morning. "Would you like the engagement ring soldered to the wedding band?"
I opted not to. "No. I think there will be times when I'll want to just wear the simple diamond band."
She turned her attention to Jus' ring, looking me in the eye. "How much would you like to spend on the groom's ring?"
Oh, crap. That was part of the deal—the bride bought the groom's ring. And I had no money. If I told her a couple hundred, would she laugh me out of the store?
Jus came to my rescue. "A simple gold band is all I want."
She measured his ring size and called for another tray, this time of men's rings. Jus picked his. "Add it to my tab." He pulled out his credit card and handed it over before I could protest. He seemed practiced at picking up the tab over others' protests. Probably mostly feeble protests, as mine was.
I pulled May aside and asked her to share a picture of my ring and the specs with the waiting press.
And then we were done. The cars were waiting for us when we stepped out of the store. I relaxed on the way home, eager to get back to the penthouse and collapse. I'd had enough stress for one day. Enough pretending to be in love with a guy I barely knew. Enough being on my guard, smiling for cameras, and having flashes go off in my face. Enough of not being who I really was. Of my life being a play lived out in the real world. Enough of blending into Jus' life while putting mine on hold. I just wanted to kick back, be myself, and decompress.
I let myself into the penthouse and tossed my purse on the console table before kicking off my shoes. I was looking around for Magda when I spotted a dark-haired woman sitting in a chair with her back to me. There was something familiar about her.
"May I help you?" I said.
She spun around and I knew immediately who she had to be. My heart dove for my stomach and my smile wobbled.
"Diana Green. Justin's mom." Her words were like ice. "We need to talk."
What’s Next and a Free Offer
The story continues…
If you liked The Virgin Billionaire, you’ll want to read To Have and To Hold, Episode 3 of Switched at Marriage, right away!
To Have and To Hold
Switched at Marriage 3
Jet City Billionaires
Should a decoy bride have in-law problems?
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RELATIONS AFTER THE ALTAR…
Justin's mom is out for blood. Even though Justin is her least favorite child, no one messes with him. Mama Green is out to defend her baby boy and protect him from predatory, gold digging wives, namely Kayla. And Kayla's parents aren't making the situation any better. Not only that, but Justin has secrets. And Kayla's single friends are full of marital advice. Where is a girl to turn?
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Can a marriage of convenience survive an attack of the in-laws?
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Thank You!
Thanks for reading The Virgin Billionaire. I hope you enjoyed it!
* * *
Want to know when my next book will be out? Sign up for my VIP New Release List at ginarobinson.com If you’re on the list, you’ll always be the first to know about new releases, including when the next installment of Switched at Marriage will be available. And you’ll get the Gina Robinson Starter Library FREE just for signing up!
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Still can’t get enough of Kayla and Justin? Curious about Kayla and Justin’s college years? Get the Rushed Series and get a peek at what Kayla was like in college.
Also by Gina Robinson
Switched at Marriage, a Romantic Comedy Serial Romance
Part One—A Wedding to Remember
Part Two—The Virgin Billionaire
Part Three—To Have and To Hold
The Rushed Series
Rushed
Crushed
Hushed
The Reckless Series
Reckless Longing—FREE
Reckless Secrets
Reckless Together
About the Author
Gina Robinson's books have delighted readers and received positive reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A voracious reader and fan of all types of romantic stories, she writes romance and women's fiction across a wide variety of subgenres—new adult, contemporary, historical, and romantic suspense. Her love stories are infused with a happy blend of romance, adventure, a bit of mystery, and humor. Readers are drawn to the light touch she gives even serious topics and the fast, fun, easy-to-read pace of her books. From college campuses to Seattle to Las Vegas to England, her settings become almost characters of their own, driving the story.
She believes in the power of true love and passion, and that every great romance should have a happily-ever-after. To get an email when Gina releases a new book, sign up to join her VIP list by visiting her website at www.ginarobinson.com
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The Virgin Billionaire: Switched at Marriage Part 2 Page 9